Gas production



Aug. 12, 1930.

H. F. SMITH ms rnonucnon Filed May 16, 1921 2 Shoots-Sheet k 1571/522272 v (1 4. A.

2 shuts-sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1921 Patented Aug. 12, 1936 i UN T S ATes'fpArEn-r opp 'cgj HARRY r. smr'rn, or

ens rnonucrxon Application filed Kay 16,

' This invention relates to gas making, and more particularly'to the generation of gas from carbonaceous fuel. v

One of; the principal objects of theinvention isto provide apparatus for generating gas fromcarbonaceousfuel, which is so constructed that generation of the-gas is automatically controlled.

Another object of the invention is to rovide gas generating apparatus in which which means isfprovided for controlling the such means being, preferably, automatic;

generation of gas to meet home requirements,

Still another object of the invention isto provide a gas generation system of' the .ch'aracter referred to which may be easily startmaybe safely operated by unskille ants, which utilizes cheap and readily avallable fuels in the generation of gas,"and which ed, requires little attention'du'ring o eration,

attendwill produce a gas of sufficient heat value to i set out below, w

operate the ordinary domestic appliances, such as cook stove, heating apparatus, gas light.and the like. g I Other objects and advantages of the invention will be ap 'arent from the description lientaken in connection with the accompanying drawing. Y For purposes of description the invention is illustrated as embodied in'a gas generating system particularly. adapted for domestic purposes. It is, obvi0usly ,'just as applicable to the generating of a gas for any desired use. I a

. In the accompanying drawing, in. which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, Fig. 1 illustrates, somewhat 'diagram'math cally, and in elevation, a gas generating sys tem embodying this invention, certain parts, being shown in section to more clearly dis close the details of construction;

' Fig.2 is a view corresponding to .Fig. 1 of a somewhat modified system, in which a larg' a purifying mechanism gas, a work dev ce ut1l1z1ng the gas and auto-' 1921. Serial No. 469,970."

DAYTON, onro, assienonmomnn Gas nnsnnnciicourm, or DAYTON, 01110; A coaroaarro v or-o no' er gas storage is provided than is present the form shown 1n- Fi ..-1, andin which cer-' .tain of the automatic controls are correspond ngly altered;and

Fig. 3'is a view in elevation of the purifier;

for the gas shown in both Figs. 1 and 2.

- The gas generating system, embodyin thisinvention, comprises broadlva as pro ucer, for t e generated matic means for controlling the generation of .the gas. Any .suitable type of producer may be used. In.Fig. '1 is illustrated a producer I which comprises a'cylindrical shell 10,-"the.

lower part or zone'of, which is adapted to-con- -tain a .fuel bed and the upper part or zone afuel reservoir. The lowerpart, that; is the gas generating z o1ie,. which, durin 12. The lining 11 preferably cons sts-offire clay, and may be in the form of a'unitarycylindrical tile' or may consist of a plurality o era tion, contains the fuel bed, has acy in rical. lining 11 of heat and wear resisting material,-

backed by suitable'heat insulating material tervening between the metallic shell 10 and the lining 11 being preferablya mixture of the material, known commercially as siloshould have small heat capacity, so that, upon starting, it will be quickly brought up to operating temperatures. That is the construction should be such that the blowing up or startingperiod will be of short duration.

" In a. gas producer of large size the heat capacityof the fire brick lining isa matter of comparative indifference, but in gas producers such as are suitable for domestic use, in

which the size is comparatively quite small,

I theheat capacity of the lining becomes a matter of considerable importance; In the gas producerillustrated in the drawing the inter cel,, which is composed principally of-kiesel guhr and cement. Any other material for y fforming the liningmav'be used if desired, but,- for general'operation, the lining 11 ducer of such small size it has been found that the-heat capacityof the lining should be small; and very satisfactory ppera'tion has been Obtained where the thickness of the fire brick lining 11 does not exceed two inches. By using a fire brick liningof a thickness of from one to two inches, backed by a layer of heat insulating material of from four to five inches, the gas producer can be brought up to substantially ,maximum gas making conditions with a blowing up period ranging up to fifteen minutes.

' fire clay. If desired this lining may be of a v suitable metal capable of withstanding oxi- The lining 11 need not necessarily be of dation and deterioration of high tempera-.

tures, such metals, forexample, as some of -the'commercially well known alloys of chro-- shell 10, as by welding or riveting. A sage isformed in the lining 12, which connects with'the lower end of the gas generating chamber 16, within the cylindrical lining mium and nickel. Also the heat insulating material 12 may be other than a mixture of silocel and cement, as described above, as an suitable insulating material may be use Where a mixture of silocel and cement is used satisfactory results. may be obtained when they are in the proportions of substantially four parts of silocel to one part of cement. Except for the fact that suitable heat insulatin material doesnot ordinarily sufficient- 1y withstand the abradingeffect of the fuel bed to give long lifethe lining 11 could be entirely dispensed with and the gas generating zone provided only witha lining of heat insulating material. A lining of charcoal, or analogous carbonaceous material, also functions very well,'it being in some ways superior to the lining illustrated in the drawin'grand described above.

, helining within the gas generating zone l rests upon a bottom plate 13, which closes the lower end of the shell 10, this plate being in turn supported, by means of bolts 14;, from angle irons 15 permanently'attached to the 11, toform an ash pit 17, and registers with an opening 18 formed in the shell 10 to'provide access to the ash pit. The fuel bed within the gas generating chamber 16is supported by a grate 19, which consists of a circular perforated plate supported by a plurality of legs 25, preferably three in number. One of the'legs 25 is suitably extended to form a handle, by means of which the grate may be inserted nto position within the ashpitor withdrawn therefrom, through the ash pit opening 18. The construction of the grate is such that when in position within the ash pit it is completely out of thermal contact with the metallic shell 10 of the producer.

As is evident from the drawing, the bottom plate 13 is out of thermal contact with the shell of the producer, this plate being supported by the bolts 14 which are themselves out of thermal contact with the shell of the producer. In' addition the grate, since its .thermal connection with the plate 13 is only through the legs 25, is almost completely heat insulated from the bottom plate 13. By

means of this construction the loss of'heat from the. fuel bed, because of conduction thereof through'the metal of the grate to the metallic shell 10 and radiation from the metallic shell 10 into the atmosphere, is almost entirely prevented. This'construction has a very material effect in the starting and running of the gas producer; and notonly does it decrease the starting or-blowing up period, but it also contributes very materially 'to the more satisfactory operation of the producer, permitting of the generating of gas of better quality.

The upper end of the producer is closed by means of a top 30, which is positioned within the shell to forma water receiving trough of the lining within the gas generating zone.

Fuel for the producer is introduced through the opening 32 into" the space within the upper part of the producer, that is, the space within the cylindrical depending shell 35,

which acts as a fuel reservoir, the upper end i 'of the fire'brick lining 11, and layer of heat insulating material being inclined so that fuel within the reservoir 35 will readily pass downwardly, under the action of gravity, into the generating z0ne 16 to replace the fuel consumed during operation of the producein The reservoir 35 can be proportioned to give any suitable capacity, and to thus permit of any reasonable period of ope rationof the producer withoutreplenishing the supply of fuel. As illustrated the capacity of the fuel reservoir is suflicient to permit ofoperating the producer at full load for about six or seven hours. Leading oil from the space between the shell and the shell 10, and adjacent the top of the producer,'is a as offtake pipe 40, to which is'connected a lower 41.. This blower is preferably of the centrifugal type, and adapted togive a constant pressure at the delivery orifice thereof for any given speed.

The gasproducer described is of the suction t'ype, the'blower or pump 41, during operation,functioning a vacuum pump to cause airto pass into-the ash pitfrom the saturator through pipe 58., thence upwardly generally as blasting'the fuel bed. The term therefore refers generally to the operthrough the fuel within'the generating zone '16, to'generate producer gas, and thence out through the ofi'takepipe 40 and throughthe blower 41 which .delivers'it under re'ssure to a delivery main, and so to the p ace ofuse. But any suitable type of producer whether a suction eratedor pressure operated may be used, alt ough' such a suction producer as illustrated is'preferred. If it is'desiredto use a pressure producer, the blower 41' woul'd'be connectedto the ash pit and caused to function as a pressure pump, instead ofa vacuum pump, to thus force air and moisture through the'fuel bed and outithrough the offtake to the delivery main As is well known, fo',r satis-' factory operation of a producer the air which passes through the 'fuel bed should contain a-substantial amount of moisture. This is ,truewhether the producer be operated under suction or under pressure. For purposesof description, therefore, the passing of air I alone,;or air and moisturejin desired propor-,

'tions, through the fuel bed to cause the genr eration of gas, whether-under suction, under ressure or under natural draft is desi nated P v ation of passing air, -or air and moisture,

through thefuel bed to cause the generation of as.

. 'fhe producer as thus far described-is sub stantially identicalwith theproducer shown in the application of Harry Smith filed July 24, 1920, Serial No. 398,749. a

,As the generated. gas ,pass'es upwardly through the space between-the shells and I a 35, to the ofitake,'a large partjof the sensible heat of such gas is transmitted to the metallic shell 10'.v .In the type of producer shown in theabove referred to application this heatis partly radiated into theatmosphere,

' and partlytransmitted into the water with in'the vaporizer. In the form of producer shown herein the upper part of the producer is surrounded by a jacket-46, adapted to con tainwater." ;A considerable part of the heat, of the generated gas is transmitted throughv the shell 10 into-the'water'within this jacket.

Leading off from thejacket, adjacent its top, 1

is a pipe 47 whichis also connected to the-upper end of a hot water storage tank 48. Leading ofi'from the jacket 46 adjacent the lower endthereof is a pipe 49 which opens into the tank 48 adjacent the lower end thereof.

By means of this construction the water with in the'jacket 46, as it is heated, passes upw ardly through the pipe 47 into the tank 48, the

cooler which at the bottom of the tank 48 pa'ss-- ing'down wardly through the pipe 49 into the acket, a circulation thus being established, so that the sensible heat of the generated gas is used toheat a supply of water for general use, the tank 48 being connected through the =5 pipe-50 toany desired place of use; The tank 48 als o has asu ply pipe 51 leading thereto from any suitab e sourceof water. i Leading olf from the top Of the tank 4.8 isapipe 52 which opens lnto 'a saturator.

This-saturator consists of a metallic shell 55 a having a series of grids, or bafiies,.56 therein.

7 The s'aturator shown is like that shown in the 19,1908. The grids preferably consist I piitent to Harry F. Smith Noj 888,359 issued uratorbelow the grids 56 is .an opening 57, connectingthespace within the saturator to the atmosphere. 1 Opening out of the top of the saturator, above the grids 56, is a pipe 58' which passes into the ash pit l7 and terminates therein. A door 20 is provided for the ash pit opening 18 which is normally closed during'operation so that all the air introduced into the generating zone must pass through the saturator.} Asthe'air passes through the opening 57 and up through the grids in the saturator to pass off through the pipe 58 to the ash pit it will reach a condition of saturation with moistureat the temperature which prevails within the satur: ator.- As set forth in the above referredto" patent the amount of moisture which is taken up by the air is a function of the temperature of the air. Thus by varying the amount of hot water which is introduced into .the sat urator through the pipe 52, the temperature I of the air'within the saturator can be correspondingly varied, and the amount of moisture which is supplied to the producer- 0011- trolled. Located within the pipe 52 is a valve 58 by means of which the amount of water supplied to. the saturator can be varied as desired. Leading off from the bottom of the saturator, below the grids, is an outlet pipe 11 59 through which the Water fed to the saturator passes off. A centrifugal pump 60, preferably :operated by an electric motor 61, connected by the conductors 63 and 64 to a source of current, is connected to sections of the pipe 59 so that the water fed through the saturator may be passed back into the jacket l 46. j Any suitable form of pump and means .of operating that pump may be used in place of the centrifu 'al-puinp 60 and electric 1110- tor 61 shown. y using acentrifugal pump, I however, and a constant speed motor the water returned to the jacket 46. may be returned thereto under the'proper pressure. for caus-- ing'satisfactory circulation within the system.

thus far described. If desired'the pump 60 and operating motor may be entirely dispensed with and the water-fed through the saturator wasted.

Connected to-the outlet oft he blower 41 isa 1 or is delivered 66. The pump or blower 41, as shown, is of pipe 65 throu h which the gas from the blowunder pressure to the purifier being the battery 45. The motor and blower operating at constants eed will tend to give a constant pressure at t e outlet of the blower. irrespective-of the volume of gas delivered. By properly regulating the speed of the blow-.

er or pump 41, therefore, the pressure of the gas delivered from the pump may be controlled as desired. And this delivery pres-v sure should always be'greater than the, maximumpressure to be attained in the gas delivery main. If preferred a positive pump,

. and recirculating pipe such as shown in Fig. 2 may housed in place of the centrifugal blower illustrated.

From the blower the gas passes, through the pipe .65, under suitable pressure to the purifier 66, which consists of a cylindricalmetallic shell adapted to contain a layer of saw-dust, shavings, orsimilar material, for removing impurities from the gas. In the enerating system illustrated the producer is intended to operate upon charcoal, coke, or analogous fuel, the gas from which contains comparatively few impurities. If a fuel such as bituminous coal were used adi'llerent type of purifier would also be used, since the comarativel large quantities of tar which are ormed uring the generation of gas from bituminous coal. would, inmost cases, make desirable a type of purifying or cleaning apparatus adapted to give better cleaning of such a gas than is the purifier shown. A urifierjsuch as shown in the patent of Harry l Smith No. 1,099,773, issued June 9, 1914,

' would function satisfactorily for this purpose. Located within the purifier, between the opening of the pipe 65 thereinto and the opening therefrom lnto the outlet pipe 67 is a bafiie member 68 which, as shown more clearly by Fig. 3, is in the form of an invertedtrough member of V shape, extending throughout the length of the purifier, the positioning being such that the gas entering the purifier through the pipe 65 is forced to 'take a circuitous path through the mass of purifying materia p 67, to thus increase the time of contact of as it passes to the outlet the gas With that material The baffle 68 is supported by means of a rod 69, which also assists in the retaining in place the closure members 70 and 71 whichclose two openings in the end of the purifier through which purifying material may be introduced or Withdrawn. These two closure members are mounted upon a bar 72 through which passes one end of the rod 69 and a separate retaining rod 73. The rod 69, and the retaining rod 73 have nuts threaded upon the ends thereof and so positioned that by loosening them the bar 72 and its cooperating closure members 70'and 71 ma vbe removed, and by tightening them, with the bar and cooperating closure members in position, these closure members willbe heldinplace. In order to prevent leakage eachof the closure members 70 and 7l"has"a' packing member 7 4 associated therewith, which acking may be of any desired character. "or retaining proper position within t e purifier, and to prevent its moving about the supporting rod 69, two sto members 7 5' are provided. As shown in t e drawing these stop members consist of bolts which are threaded through suitable openings in the. end of the purifier and are so positioned as to restrain the bafile members in the desired setting.

i If desired a urifier containing, as the purifying'materi, a layer of finely divided carbonaceous material, such as charcoal may be used, purifiers of this type having been the bafile 68 in found to function very satisfactorily under actual operating conditions. Su'ch type of the applica the ports to which the de i'very main 81 and vent pipe 82 are connected. Any suitable type of double beat valve will function satisfactoril-y, and the type of valve illustrated in the drawin merely shows. one suitable form. This va vecomprises a valve stem 84 to which are pivotally attached two opposing disc members 85 one of which is adapted to cooperate with the port to which the -delivcry main is connected and the other with the port to which the vent pipe is connected. The

arm 84 is'rigidly attached, within the fitting 80, to an operating shaft 86, pivotally mounted in any suitable manner within the walls of the valve fitting 80 but with one end preferably extending out through the valve fitting, the said one end of the shaft 86, without the fitting 80, being-rigidl attached to the opcraing arm 87. The de ivery main 81 is adapted to lead the gasto any desired place of use, one suitable ty e of work device, illustrated conventional y, being a cook stove 90, of any usual construction, shown as hav-. ing a plurality of burners 91 connected to the pipe 92 which is in turn connected to the deliverymain, and through which gas is supplied to the burners, valves 93 being provided for controlling the flow of gas to said burners.

which is movable. Pivotally mounted adjacent the gasometer is a bell crank lever 100 one arm of which cooperates with the upper main, and the amount of gas which flows past that valve into the delivery main beyond the valve will be dependent upon the effective 1 opemngthrough the main at that point. The;

"gasometer floats on the delivery main line so that the pressure therein will correspond to the pressure of the gas'inthe delivery main beyond-the valve 103; .If the pressure tends opening 'therethrough and thus return thepres'su'r'e to the desired predetermined,-condition. Ifthepressure in the delivery main,

to build up'inthe delivery main it will tend to correspondingly build up inthe 'gasometer to raise the upper bell thereof and thus actuate the valve 103 to cut down the effective beyond thefvalve 103, tends to'fall, as would 7 be true where an extra work device is cut in, the pressure n the gasometer would also tend to correspondingly decrease and the upper bell thereof would fall'to move the valve 103 to increase the'effective opening therethrough and thusbring the pressurefin the delivery as main back up to the predetermined normal.

The 'gasometer ,th'usfunctions as an automatic regulating device for maintaining constant the pressure of the gas in the delivery 'main,'beyond the valve 103, and thus to.n1ain tain constant the pressure of the gas at the work device. p

Also associated with the ,gasbmeter is'a switch 110. for controlling operation of the motor 42, which drives the blower 41. As stated above, the motor 42 is operated by means of electricity from any suitable and desired source, this source of electricity being illustrated as a storage battery 4,5, though, of course, any other source of current may be utilized. The switch 110 is connected within the conductor 43 connecting the motor 42' and the battery 45. This switch is so located that when the'upperbell of the gasometer rises to a predetermined point the switch will be opened to stop the motor, and when the gasometer falls below apredetermined fixed point, and so long as it remains below this predetermined fixed point, the switch will be closed, the switch being urged into closed position by the spring 111. As shown, upward movement of the gasometer bell, a suitable distance, brings the upstanding lug 112, carried by the bell crank lever 100 into contact with the switch 110 to open that switch. This is only one, of many possible, meansg'o'fopen king the switch upon upward movement of the gasometer bell, and is merely illustrative.

of a satisfactory embodiment of the invention. other typekof switch and mechanism for opening that switch upon the building upof suiiicient pressure within the at: livery main would be satisfactory. A check valve 104, is positioned in the deliver main 81, between the pipe 95, the pipes lea ing to the work devices and the valve fitting 80,- and is adapted to permit the free flow of gas from -the fitting through'the main when the blower 41 is operating but to prevent back flow from the main and gasoineter when the blower is not operating. As shown the valve consists of a conventional flap valve member which opens under pressurefrom the fitting and closes under the action of gravity when such opening pressure is removed.

Leading oil from the pipe -67, between the purifier and end of this coil being connected, through the pipe 118, to the lower end of the storage tank ,48, and the other, through the pipe 119, to

burner 120 is a spark plug 121, one terminal of which is connected to one of the high tension terminals of a conventional spark coil 122, bymeans of the conductor 123, the other terminal being connected to the other high tension terminal of the spark coil, either directly or by grounding, as illustrated, by means ofthe'conductor 124. The low tension terminals of the spark coil 1-22 are connected in series'with the motor 42, one terminal be: ing connected to the conductor 13 through the conductor 125, and the other connected, through the conductor 126, to one terminal of a thermostatic switch, included within the spark coil circuit, the other terminal of which .is connected, through the conductor 133 to the valve fitting is a branch pipe 115, which terminates within a hot water 7 heater 116 within which is located a hot water coil 117, of conventional construction, onethe other motor conductor 44. One member of this switch consists of a thermostatic element 127, mounted within the wall of the hot "water heater '116, suitable insulation 128,

which may be of-an'y desired character, being provided to electrically insulate this member of the switch from the wall of the hot water heater. Cooperating with the free end of the thermostatic'element 127 is a contact member 129, which is also mounted within the wall of the hot water heater and suitably insulatedtherefrom, by means of the insulating member 130. The thermostatic element 127 is of such character that its curvature changes with its temperature, and is so'arranged that at normal temperatures it will contact with the member 129, but when.

itsitemp'erature is raised, as will occur when the, gas-escaping throughthe burner-120 is ignited, and so long as this gas is burning,-

it will be deformed and held out of contact with the member 129. This construction is :such that when the plant is idle the thermostatic member 127 is so positioned that the circuit through thelow tension coil of the spark coil is closed, in so far as-this thermostatic switch is concerned. But in order to completely close'the circuit through the low tension coil of the spark coil the switch 110 must also be closed. That is to. say, when both the thermostatic switch, and the switch 110 are closedthere will be a flow of current from the battery .45 through the low tension coil of the spark coil, but if either of these switches is open there canbe no flow of ourrent through thecoil. So,-even though the thermostatic element 127 is normally positioned, whenthe plant is idle, so that it contacts with the member 129,,tl1ere will be no actuation' of the spark plug, ,forunder these sameeconditionsiheswitch 110 is normally :open. For when the u'seof. gas at the. work devices, as for instance at the-stove 90, is entirely discontinued,the blower 41 will con- -tinue to operate to cause the generation of lgh to raisethe upper bell 97 of the gasometer to open the switch 11.0, thusstoppipg the motor'42'and the blower 41 connected theretoW gas, until the pressure becomes sufficiently Also cooperating with the thermostaticelement 127 is a contact member 131 mounted, within the insulating member 130, in

the wall of the hot water heater 116. The

thermostatic element '127 is connected, as stated above by means of. the conductors 133 and 44 to one terminal of the battery 45.

The contact member 131 is connected, by means of the conductor 134, to the conductor 43 and thus to the other terminal of the battery 45. Interposed in the conductor 134 is a solenoid 140, which is mounted in any suitable manner, adjacent the valve fitting 80, the form of mounting not being shown since any desired means of mountingthis coil may be utilized. The core 141 of this solenoid is operatively connected to the operatin arm 87 of thevalve member 83, a spring 142 ing associated with the operating arm 7 87, and the core 141, so that it normally urges the valve member 83 to shutoff connection between-the delivery main 81 and the "delivery pipe '67, and to connect the delivery pipe 67 to the vent pi ably connects to the arm 87 by means of a conventional slot-and-pin construction, designated generally by the numeral 143.'

When the solenoid is energized, however, the core thereof 1s moved, against the resistance of the spring 142 to move the valve member 83 to c ose off connection between thedelivery pipe 67 and the vent pipe 82 and to connect t pipe 67. The thermostatic element 127 is so constructed, and positioned, that under normal temperature conditions, as when the plant is idle, or when gas is not being burned at the burner 120, this element will be out of e 82. The core 141 is prefer e delivery main 81 to the delivery" contact with the contact. member 131. That is'when the plant is idle, or, even though the plant is operating but no gas is beingburned at the burner 120, under which conditions the temperature of the thermostatic element 127 will be substantially the'same as the atmosphere, it will be out of contact with the member 131-so that the solenoid 141 will not be energized, and the spring 142 will'hold the valve 83 in such position as to cut ofi' con nection between the pipe 67 and the delivery main 81, that is disconnect the gas producer from the gas delivery main, and connect the pipe 67 to the vent pipe,82, that is connect the gas producer to the vent pipe. At such time, as setout above, the element 127 will contactwith the terminal element 129. But

as soon asthe temperature of the 'thermostaticlelement is raised sufficiently as will happen when gas is burned at the burnfer 120, this element will be distorted' to cause it to Contact with the member 131, with a.resulting ener'gizingof thesolenoid 141 to movethe valve 83 to cut off connection be-' tween the vent pipe 82 and the bfi take pipe 40, and to connect the delivery main 81 with after a prior period of use, and that the fuel bed within the gas generating zone 16 is smouldering or incandescent, the pressure of gas within the gasometer, from the prior period of-operation will'be sufficient to hold the upper bell'97 in extreme elevated position,

the switch thus being open. With the switch 110 open neither the motor 42, the" motor 61, the solenoid 140 nor the spark'co'il 122 will function. Under these circumstances there will be no generation of gas, and the "check valve 104 beyond the valve fitt-ing 80,

in the delivery "main-81, will be-vclosedpreventing the back flow of gas from'the gasometer' and deliverymain. Consequently there willbenogas' passing through the p1pe'115 tothe burner and the thermostatic element 127 will'not be subjected to any outside heating cffect, Under these circumstances the thermostatic element will be in .contact with the member 129 and out of contact with the contact member131. Thus the solenoid 141 will not beenergized and the spring 142 will hold the valve member 83 to close the connection between the gas delivery main 81 and the delivery pipe 67, and thus to interrupt the connection between the de-' tion of-any work device is commenced, as for. instance by lightingone o-f the-burners 91- livery main 81'. and the gas o-fi'takerpip e 40,

and in the same niannenconnet the ofi'tako pipe 40' to the vent 82, As soon as the operaofthe stove '90, some gas will be withdrawn from the main'81 to decrease the quantity of gas within the main andgasometer and to thus decrease the pressure therein so that the upper bell 97 of the gasometer will fall and.

- cause the switch 110 to close.v I This causes. the motor 42 to function to operate the blower 41, It also causes the motor 61 to function to supply moisture to the air blast being drawn through the fuel bed within the gas generating chamber by the operating motor 41, the resulting gas, because-of the position- 1 --ing of the valve member 83,'pa ssing'ofi' Q spark plug 1211to function. As thegas passes through the vent pipe 82. At the same time the sparkcoil 122 will be energized to-cause off through the vent 82 a portion of the'gas will also pass throughthe pipe-115'to the burner 120. If the-plant has been standingidle for a substantial period the'first gas which passes through the offtake 40vwill probably be of such poor-quality, that is of such the time. 'If the plant has been standing idle overnight, say, it will probably require, in

a. gas producer of the size referred toabo've, a blowing up period of from five to ten minutes, where the fuel used is charcoah With other fuels the blowing up period will also vary according to the character of the fuel.

As soon as the generation of gas is started,

however, the sparking of thespark plug 121 is also started,- and when the gas generated becomes of such quality that it will support combustiom'it will ignite from the sparks,

and will continue to burn so long as it escapes 4 from :the burner 120.. The heat of the burning gas, acting upon the thermostatic element- 127, will cause that element to distort to open the spark coil circuit and close the solenoid circuit. As a result the spark plug will cease to function, and-the valve member 83 will be moved to disconnect the vent pipe 82 from the pipe 67, and connect the delivery main 81 to the oiltakc pipe through the pipe 67. The generated producer as will then be forced through the delivery main 81 to the A 'place of use] As stated above the construction is such that the pressure of the gas as delivered from the blower will at all times exceed the maximum pressure attained in the delivery main regardless. of thefquantityof gas delivered. But the flow of: gas through the delivery main 81 is subject to control bv the position of the valve 103, and the positioning of this valve is in turn controlled by the positioning of the gasometer bell 97. As more, or less work devices are cut into or out of service, therefore, the quantity of gas used will vary, but the presure within the deliyery main 81, beyond the'valve 103 will be maintamed substantially constant, by means of the gasometer which, together-with the valve 103 really functions as a pressure regulating device. If'for any reason, however, the pressure of the gas within the. delivery main 81 should go up, the upper bell of the gasometer would immediately rise in accord with this increased pressure, and if the pressure builds up sufiicientlyhigh, would open the switch to stop the blower. This is exactly what happens when all of the work devices are stopped, the blower running long enough to generate sufficient gas to fill the gasometer. And as set out above the gasometer is of such size that it willstore just enough gas to run a small work device, such as one burner'of.

- the stove, for. the. blowing up period .of the 1 producer.

The valve 58, within the pipe connecting the hot water tank 48 to the saturator 55 has an operating stem 62 connectedthereto arm 101. As a result the eifective opening of the valve 58 willbevaried to accord with the efi'ective bpening of the valve 103, which in which is also operatively connected to the turn is dependent uponthe, quantity of gas passing through the delivery main 81. Thus the. amount of moisture supplied to the gas generating chamber is varied to accord with the quantity of gas being generated. This construction is such that when the upper bell '97 of the gasometer rises to extreme upper position, to open the switch 110, and stop the generation of gas, the valve 58 will be completely closed, to prevent the flow of water from the hot water tank 48 to the saturator 55.

\Vhile the burner is shown in connec:

tion with a hotwater heater, this'is not essentialandthe heater 116 may be entirely dispensed with if desired,'and the tank 48 or any other heating tank depended on for hot water su ply. In such construction the operation of the thermostatic contacts would be just the same. And of course efficiency is gained by utilizing theheat needed'for operating these eontacts'for helping in the maintenance of asupply of hot water rather than wasting such heat to the vent;

The form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is' fundament lly quite similar to that already described. The gas producer, as shown, consists of a'shell-200, which has in the lower part thereof,'designated generally 201, the gas generating zone, the ash pit. and the grate, similar in construction, and function,-

to the corresponding partsof the producer shown in'Fig. 1, and described above. The method of supplying moisture to the an 30 v tratedin Fig. 2 is similar in construction, and operation to that shown in the above referred blast, is different from that described above, the trough 203 having a cover member 204 the depending walls of which'extend down 'into the trough 203 and enclose within them a substantial part of the water within the trough. vExtending downwardly from the -of the gas will be recirculated through the trough 203, through the fuel reservoir, contained within the depending flange 205, and

passingthrough the lining of the generating zone, to terminate withinthe ash pit, is a pipe 206. The cover member 204l1as an opening 207 therein. The ash pit has a door 208 which normally closes the opening-thereto through which the grate is introduced and removed. As the blower 210 operates air is drawn in through the opening 207, over the a water in the trough or vaporizer 203, and

. 398,749, filed July 24, 1920. V

Mounted within the otltake pipe 209 is a blower or exhauster 210. This blower, 1f

downwardly-through the pipe 206 into the ash pit, and thence through the fuel bed. As

the gas generated passes from the fuel bed it I i passes out through the space between the shell 200 and the depending flange 205, to the ofi'takepipe. 209. During operation of the producer. therefore, the temperature of the water within the trough 203 is raised to cause vaporization thereof, and as the air is drawn in through the opening 207 and down'through the'pipe 206 vapor is taken up by the air and carried with itinto the generating zone of the producer. The t pe of producer illusto application of Harry F. Smith, Serial No.

- desired, may be ofthe centrifugal type described above in connection with the system illustrated in Fig. 1. But the blower shown is of the conventional gear impeller type, that is, itis a positive pump. The construction of this blower is not shown in detail 1 since blowers of this type are well known and any satisfactory type commercially available may be used. Or if preferred, a reciprocating or plunger type pump may be used. This 7 blower is belt driven by an electric motor 211,

preferably operated at substantially constant speed, connected to a suitable source of current by the conductors 212 and 213, the source of current illustrated being a storage battery 214, though any'other suitable source of current may beused; Connected to'the delivery of the blower is a-pipe 215 which opens into a purifier. 216 for the gas,-identical in construction with that described above. Gonnecting the pipe 215, beyond the blower, with the oiftake pipe 209, in advance of the blower is a recirculating pipe 217, in which is inserted a pressure operated valve 218. This valve may be of any desired type so long as it is so constructed as to open when the gas pressure in the pipe 215 rises to a predetermined point and to remain open so long as such predetermined pressure is exceeded. And this predetermined pressure should at all times,

during operation of the blower, exceed the maximum pressure attained within the gas pipe 217 and pump 210,so that the pressure ofthe gas delivered by the pump will not exceed the predetermined maximum. The pressurei'egulating valve shown is of conventional type, the pressure at which it will open being regulable' by proper manipulation of the threaded plug 219 which upon being moved in or out correspondingly varies the tension of the spring 220, and thus varies the pressure necessary for causing the valve to'open. I 1

Leading off from the purifier 216 is a'pipe 225 to which is-connected a valve fitting 226, having two valves, 227 and 228 therein, located, one at each side of the place where the pipe 225 opens into. the fitting. Connected to one end of the fitting 226 is a. vent pipe 229,

and to the other-end is a gas delivery main pipe 229, onopen connection between those pipes. The pi'pe 230 passes through the wall, ofa g'asometer 235, and terminates within the upper bell 236'thereof. Also terminating wlthin theupper bell of the gasometer is a is connected ,to suitable work devices. Suitable liquid 237 is contained Within the gasometer, which, inthe form of invention illus-' continuation ofthe delivery main, which also passes through the wall of the gasometer and I ity of-the gas will fall off, and therefore each producer has a minimum capacity, and requires a minimum blast during operation to produce suitable gas for use in a work device. In a producer of the size shown, the size mentioned above in connection with the description of Fig. 1, this minimum capacity is quite small, but a single work device, such as a burner ofa gas stove or a gas light, does not require, in its operation, an amount of gas :which is equivalent to that generated when the producer is being operated at minimum capacity. It is sometimes found desirable, as

where gas is to be supplied for domestic or home use, to provide gas storage of considerable capacity. TlllS storage capacity should be sufliciently great to provide that quantity of gas which will permitof operating over an extended period a Work device using less gas than the minimum capacity ofthe producer. .It is estimated that to provide s'ufli cient gas to operate asingle incandescent.

light, such as is frequently burned overnight in a bath room, say, will require a storage capacity of about 300 cubic feet. The gasometer 235 in this modification-of the invention,

is adapted to have such storage capacity. The gasometer in the modification described above, and illustrated in Fig. 1, has sufiicientv storage capacity to supply gas for a work device during theblowing up period of the producer,but has not suiiicient capacity to operate such a'work device over. an extended periodof time. In other words, in the,modi-.

fication' shown in Fig. l thegenerator will function almost continuously when gas is. be-

ing:used at a work device. But in the 'modi-' fication shown in Fig. 2 sufiicient storage is provided so' that one or more work devices may be operatedfor-aconsiderable period 7 without the generation of gas being started.

The operation of the producer in the modification shown in Fig. 2 is more or less inter; mittent' while theoperationof the producer ,s'hown'in Fig. 1 is practically continuous.

The upper bell 236 of the gasometer has connected thereto the conventional balancejj weight 238, which is. carried upon the end of I a cable'239 running over the conventional pulley 240. Also carried upon the upper bell 236 is a'standard 241 having two stops 242 and 243 thereon, which'stops are positioned to cooperate with the switch 245.. The stop 242 is so positioned that it Will close the switch 245 when the gasometer bell reaches a predetermined lower position, while the stop 243 is positionedtoopen the switch 245 when the ga'someter bell reaches a predetermined upper position. The switch 245 is within the conductor 212, connecting the motor 211 to the battery '2 14, so that whenthis switch is closed',the motor and the blower driven thereby, will operateto cause the generation of gas, but will not operatewhen the switch 245 is open.

Leading off from the valve fitting 226, be tween the valves '227 and 228, so that it 1s connected to. the pipe 225 regardless of the setting of the valve 227 and 228 is a'pipe 250 which terminates in a burner 251, located Within the lower part of a hot water heater 252, similar to the hotwater heater 116 shown in Fig. 1, the hot water coil 253 therein being connected to a conventional. hot

water storagetank, not, shown, through "the pipes 254 and 255. This hot'water-heater 00 also has .a vent pipe 256 which is connected to the vent pipe 229. Mounted in the wall offthe hot waterheater 252 is aspark plug 260, one terminalofwhich is connected, by

- means of the conductor 261, tov one of the high tension terminals of the spark coil 262,

connected tothe motorcircuit" 212 the drawing, by the conductor 263. Thisspark plug is positioned adjacentthe burner 251, so that, when functioning, it will tend to ignite any gas escaping through the burner 25 1, andwill ignite that gas ifit is of sufficlentlygood quality to support combustion. The terminals of the low tension coil of the spark coil 262 are connected in series-with the motor 211, so'that fiow'of current through the low.=te nsion coil 'of the 'spark 'coil 262 is controlled by the switch 245. One terminal of the low-tension coil of the spark' lug is conductor 264. The other terminal is connected through the conductor 265 to one ter-.

minal 266 of a thermostatic switch, the other terminal 267 of which is connected'through the conductor 268 to the motor circuit conductor -213. .This switch comprises a thermo static element 267 mou'nted in the wall of the hot water heater 252, andlsuitably insulated therefrom by means of insulating material, k

' illustrated conventionally at; 269. .Thethermostatic element 267 cooperates with the contact member 266, which is mounted in-the wall of the hot water heater 252, and suitably insulated therefrom by means of insulation shown conventionally at 270. Thiscontact member is connected tothe conductor 265."

Mounted in the wall of thehot water-heater,

and suitably insulated therefrom by means. of the insulating member 270 is a second 'con- Y tactmember 271 which is connected to the battery .214 by means of the conductor 27 2 and motor circuit conductor 212. Within the.

conductor 271: is mounted the "solenoid 27 5 the core of which is operatively coiinected'to a member 27 6, which in turn is operatively connected-to the operating levers 277 and 278, of the 'valves. 22 7 and'228 respectively.

As illustrated the member 276 is merely a. continuation of thecore of the solenoid, and

is connected to the two operating levers .277

and-278 by a pin and slot connection to per-.

mit satisfactory operation; The thermostatic element 267 is so positioned within'the hot water heater, adjacent the burner 251,

that it is subjected to the heat generated by the gas burning at that burner. Thecontact members 266 and 271 are so positioned, relative-to the thermostatic element, that under normal, or atmospheric temperatures, as when there is no generation of gas, thev element 267 is in contact with the member 266, Y

but out of contact with the member 271. But when at sufficiently higher temperatures, as

when subjected to the heat generated bythe burning of gas at theburner 251, this element is so distorted thatit is held-out of con tact with the member 266, and is maintained in contact withythe member 271. It will be noted that in order for a flow of current to take place through the low tension coil of the spark coil 262, not only must the thermo-v static element267 contact with the member 266, but also the switch 245 must be closed. And the solenoid 275will be energized so long as the switch 245 is closed and the thermostatic element 267 contacts with the mem'-. her 271. The arrangement of the valves 227' and 228, and of the operating mechanism therefor is such that when the solenoid is not energized, asis the case whenever gas is not being burned at the burner 251,- the valves 227 and 228 will be positioned to cut off connection betweenthe generator and delivery.

' main and to connect the generator to the vent pipe. a Leading off from the delivery main 230 is a branch pipe 290, which leads to an illustrativetype of work device. This work device consists of a stove 291 having two burners1292, this stove, and the parts thereof, being illustrated conventionally inasmuch as any suitable form of stove may be used.

The operation of this device is quite similar to the operation of the modification described above; Suppose the plant has been idle for a substantial period, overnight say, and it is desired to start up in the morning. The storage gasometer will be full of gas, the upper bell 236 thereof being in suliiciently elevated position to hold the stop 243 in contact with the switch 245 to hold that switch open. At the same time the thermostatic element 26iwill be contacting with the member 266, but because of the switch 245 being open the spark coil will not function. As gas is withdrawn from the gasometer, as upon lighting one of the burners 292, the pressure within the gasoineter, and the delivery main, will decrease, andthe upper bell of the gasometer will fall.. The use of the gas stored in the gasometer will continue until sufficient gas has been withdrawn to cause such a decrease in the pressure that the stop 2 12 will be moved to close the switch 245. The closing of this switch immediately'starts the motor 211, to drive'the blower 210. This causes air to pass through the fuel bed within the gas generating chamber 201, and starts the blowing up of the producer, the resulting gas withdrawn by the blower 210 passing through the purifier and pipe 225 into the valve fitting 226.

The thermostatic element 267 being cold the solenoid 275 is inoperative, and consequently, the valve 227 which controls connectionbetween the pipe 225 and the pipe 230, which leads to the gasometer is'clo'sed, and the valve 228 which. controls connection between the pipe 225 and the vent pipe 229, is open. As soon as the blOWiIlg up operation is started,

' therefore, the gas withdrawn from the generator "will be vented to the atmosphere through the vent pipe 229. At the same time a portion of this gas will pass through the I pipe 250 to the burner 251. As stated above 1 the thermostatic element 267, under these conditionswill be so positioned as to contact with themember 266. As soon as the switch 245 is closed, then, the spark coil 262 will commence to function and sparks will be v emanated adjacent the burner 251, and when the gas becomes of sufficiently goodquality these'sparks'will ignite it. The heat of the burning gas then causes such distortion of the thermostatic element asto move the mem her 267 out ofcontact with the member 266 and to bring it into contact with the member 271. This causes cessation in the functioning of the spark coil 262, and causes a flow of current through. the solenoid 275. As the solenoid 275 is energized the core to which is connected the rod 276 will. move longitudinally thereof to swing the valve 227 into open position and the valve 228 into closed position. And as long'as gas continues to burn at the burner 251 the solenoid will remain energized and will hold the valves in this position so that the gas generated will pass into the gasometer and thence through the delivery main 2 30, and so to the work devices. In this modification a certain equilibrium condition may be reached during continued utilization of the gas at a work device so that the upper bell 236 of the gasometer may assum'e a midway position, acting as a pressure regulating device, the'gas being used in a zation in cook stoves, ingas grates, in gas lights, and the like In a gas generating system adapted for such purposes the construction and operation should be such that minimum attention is required both for maintenance and for operation. The producer should be of such character as to require a comparatively brief blowing up eriod. Especially is this true in the modi cation shown in Fig. 1 in which the gas storage isof such capacity as to permit of operation of a work device only for a brief blowing up period. In the type of gas producer shown in each modification illustrated herein, the blowing up or initial blasting period is'of brief duration, ranging during operation up to fifteen minutes, depending on how long a time has elapsed since the'last previous operation of the generator. In order to secure this brief initial blastingperiod the lining the average temperature attained during continued operation of the plant. The gas. producer should also, to provide satisfactory operating conditions, that is the continued production of gas of suitablejcharacter or quality, be soconstructed that heat lossesinto the atmosphere, from the fuel bed, a re reduced to a minimumiiEa'ch-of the generators shown herein is constructed to thus minmuze the heat losses, the mini-dime enerating zone being provided wit v heat insulating:material-f amd, the," metallic grate being ut"- of thermal contact with the metallic shell of, the v produ er. E This mini-' mizing 'of heat lossesfnot-o 'y g'ivesxa more satisfactory operation, bul prevents heat i I long periods of standby. f While the method herein method into effect, constitute preferred emfbodiments of the invention, it 1s to:.be underlosses from the 'fuelbed 'durin'gthe idle or standover period, so that the plant will start up, when'the blower is operated, even after described," and the forms of apparatus for carrylng' thls stoodthat the invention is notrlimited to this 9 ingfthe electrically operated blasti mean when gas is withdrawn fromsaid'ho er and'that'changes may be mad in ither wiflp out departin from the scope of the invention which is de ned in the a p aims, I

introducing'genera V g I and-"control means for automatically start 2. jAfgasl generating system comprising: gas producer, adapted to contain a. fuel bed of ignitedcarbonaceous material, andhaving' a minimum gas generating capacity;gmeansf 'for blasting the fuel' 'bed insaid-generatOi" to cause the generation of gas, said means L 1 5o 1mg theamount of water passing from the being adapted to. so blast the fuel bed that during operation thereof the generation" of gas .willbe in excess of the minimum ca pacity of the generator; a delivery pipe connected to :said generatorffor delivering gas to=any desiredplace of use; a gasometer con-.

;nected'to said delivery pipe and of such size as to hold in storage sufiicient gas to operate for a predetermined period a work device which utilizes during operation less tl'iapthe minimum capacity of said generator and means coacting with said gasometer for starting the blasting device when thequantity of gas in said gasometenfalls to a predetermined minimum andstopping it when the [a tide layer of s e the essure'inthe'delivery main reaches a Lpre' etermined-fminimum and stopping it a hen itreaehes; a predetermined maximum. v generatingsystem comprising agas To" ucer'; a waterfljacket around said prod eel, 'ahot; water storage tank connected "to :saidf 'water jacket ;*a satura-tor for the pro- -du,o er,' =connected to the hot water storage ted gas ma. saia olari' quantity of gas reaches :a predetermined maximum.

- 3. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer, an ofltake leading off from "said producer; a vent pipe openlng into said automatically connecting the ofitake to thy -vent pipe or to vthe delivery main, a. cording to the quality of the generated "gas. y

A gas generating system comprising a gasproducer, ada ted to contain a fuel bed and having an-o take connected to a vent p pe and to a delivery main; a valve for closin'g ilthefr the vent pipe or the delivery mam; m'eq -a deliver main connected'thereto; a blower for blastlng-the fuel bed within the producer.

and forcing the resulting generated gas v g I g ;through the delivery main the .delivery precise method and these forms of apparatus,

anisnifor actuating saidvalve compr1s-' mg a thermostatic switch, a burner positioned pressure of the blower being maintained substantially constant and abovethemaxinium i pressure to be attained in the delivery main; a valve .in'said delivery main, and press'urev ,jj responsive operating mechanism therefor 1. A as generatm systeincomprrsmg a gas pro ucer, adapte totcontain a fuel a of ignited carbonaceousmate'rial; electrically operated means forblasting the fuel in said produ'certo' cause-the generation j of "g' s ;.;f

.a gas hold'e'r'for subsequent use; means?101wv adapted to. automatically move said valve I a u etowards openor closedposit on to maintain .uniforrnjpressure- 1n the delivery main be- .yond said valve, without affecting the o eration ths'aid pressureresponsive means for the blower operat ng means when remand means for'automatically controlwater jacket aroundsa'id producer, a hot I 4 water storage tank connected to said water jacket; a saturator forthe producer, a pipe connecting the hot water storage tank to the saturator, a control valve in said pipe; and actuatlngmeans for sa1d valve adapted to control the amount of water passing into the satur'ator to accord with the load on the producer.

8. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer, having a delivery main; apresllIU f. the blower;-'and means in com inamaintain pressure in the delivery main be,

yond said valve constant; a saturator-for the producer and means for controlling the supply of moisture to said saturator, said means being operatively connected to the upper bell ofsaid gasometer'so that as said 'bell rises or falls the setting of the saturator control valveis correspondingly varied. I

9. A gas generating system comprising a gas'producer adapted to contain a fuel bed,

mean'sfor blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustible gas, a delivery line for leading the generated gas" to a place of use, a vent pipe for wastingto the atmosphere the gas generated during the initial blasting period of the producer to bring the fuelbed togood gas-making condition, an auxiliary starting reservoir for-supplying gas to the delivery line, and .means'controlledby the auxiliary starting reservoir to control the main delivery line. 1 a

a 10. A gas generatingsystem comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustible gas, a deliveryline connected to the outlet of the producer, a

valve, within said delivery line, a vent pipe connected to the outlet of the producer, an auxiliary starting reservoir for, supplying gas to the delivery line during the initial blasting period of the producer to bring the fuel bed to good gas-making condition, and :iutomatiomeans operated by the auxiliary starting reservoir to control the positioning of said valve within the main delivery line.

11. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed,

means for blasting the fuel bed to cause the;

generation of combustible gas, a delivery line connected to the outlet of the producer'for delivering the generated gas to the place of use, a vent pipe connected with the outlet of the producer, an auxiliary starting reservoir for supplying gas to the delivery line during the initial blasting'peri-od of the producer to bring the fuel bed to, good gas-making condition, and means for delaying delivery of the gas into the main delivery line until the gas period generated during said initial blasting is of properquality.

12. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bod, means for blasting the fuel bed to cause the generation of combustible.gas, a delivery line connected to the outlet of the producer for delivering the generated gas to a place of use, a vcntipipe connected with the outlet of the producer, an auxiliary starting reservoir for supplying gas to the delivery line during the ,inltia as 'produceradapted to'contain a fuel bed,

means forblasting the fuel bed to cause the generation of combustible gas, a delivery line connected to the outlet of the producer for delivering the generated gas to a place of use, a vent pipe connected with the outlet of the producer, an auxiliary starting reservoir for supplying gas to the delivery line during the initial "blasting period of the producer to.

bring the fuel bed to good gas-making condition, and a combined gas testing and hotwaterhe'ating unit for automatically controlling the connection of the delivery line to the outlet of the producer to delay delivery of 1 gas from theproducer intosaid line until the generated gas is of proper quality, and for thereafter heating the Water in ahot-water supply system.

14. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed,

means for blasting thefuel bed to cause the,

generation of combustible gas, a saturator associated with said producer, a delivery line.

connected to the-outlet of the producer for delivering the generated gas to a place of use, a vent pipe connected with the outlet of the producer, an auxiliar starting reservoir for supplying gas to the elivery line during the initial blasting period of the producer to bring the fuelbed to good gas-making condition, and a combined gas testing and hot-' water heating unit for automatically controlling the connection of the delivery line to the outlet of the producer to delay delivery of gas from the producer into said line until the generated gas isof, proper quality, and for thereafter heating the water. in a hotwater supply system,'and means for supplying hot Water from said hot-water system to thesaturator of the producer.

15. The method in the generating of producer gas, which consists in intermittently blasting at a substantially constant rate a. fuel bed of ignited carbonaceous material within an enclosing generating chamber, withdrawing the resulting generated gas from the encrating chamber containing the fuel forcing it under pressure to a: work device through a delivery main, and temporarily interrupting the blasting operation when the pressure of the gas in. the delivery main reaches a predetermined point.

' 16. A gas generating system com' rising a gas producer adapted to contain a uel bed;

suction means for causln a blast of air and moisture to flow t'hroug said fuel bedto cause the generation of gas; and means for automatically stopping said suction means when the demand for gas ceases, the normal operation of said suction means being unmodified by said automatic stop means during the period of-operation of the suction means.

l7. A gas generating system comprising .a

gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed;

a delivery main connected to the producer for supplying gas to any desired place of use, a gasometer floating on the delivery main; means unmodified by said gasometer during periods of operation for withdrawing maintaining said withdrawing means inoperative so long as thepressure of the gas 1n the-gasometer exceeds a predetermined max mum pressure.

18. A gas generatingsystem comprising a gas producer having anoiftake into which opens a vent pipe and a delivery main; valve means for controlling the connection of said otl't'ake with the vent pipe andwith the delivery main, said valve means-bein adapted for positioning to connect either the vent pipe or the delivery main to the ofitake, said I valve means tending to normally assume a position to maintain the vent pipe in connection with theofftake; and thermostatic means coacting with said valve means to automatically actuate said valve means to assume a different positioning to disconnect the vent pipe from the ofitake and connect the delivery main to the ofitake when the gas being generated and withdrawn from the producer is of such quality that it will burn.

19. 'A gas generating system com rising a gas producer adapted to containv a uel bed; a delivery main connected thereto; a blower for blasting the fuel bed. within the pmducer and forcing the resulting generated gas through the delivery main, means for operating said blower, the delivery pressure of the blower being maintained substantially constant throughout operation thereof;

a valve in said main, and operating mecha-' nism therefor responsive to pressure conditions in thedelivery main beyond the valve and adapted to automatica ly move said valve toward open or closed position to main-' producer to the delivery main and closing tain uniform pressure in the delivery main beyond said valve without affecting the operation of the blower.

20. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed, a delivery line connected to said'producer,

7 means for blasting the fuel bed to cause the generation of combustible gas and for forcing said gas through the delivery line, a

saturator for supplying moisture to the blast for the fuel bed, a gas reservoir for controlling the pressure within said delivery line, and means operated by said gas reservoir for controlling the supply of moisture to the. saturator. r

21; A' gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed,

a delivery line connected thereto, means for blasting the fuel bedto cause the generation I of'combustible gas and for forcing said gas through the delivery line, a control valve within said delivery line, and a gas reser- .voir connected to said delivery line and operatively connected with said valve for controlling the positioning of said valve to con-- trol the pressure in the-delivery line beyond. said valve. i

22. A gas generating systemcomprising a ignited carbonaceous material, means for blasting the fuel bed in said producer to cause the generation ofigas, a vent pipe, a'delivery main leading to a work device, a gas holder for supplying gas to said delivery main during the initial blasting period of said fuel bed to bring the same to good gas making condition, means operative when gas is withdrawn from said holder to automatically start said blasting means to bring the fuel bed i to good gas making condition and to discharge the gas during this initial blasting to said vent pipe, andmeans operative to automatically divert generated gas into said delivery main when the gas becomes combustible.

24. Agas generating system comprising a gas producer, a deliveryvrnain connected to. said producer for delivering generated gas to any desired place of use, a vent pipe connected to said producer, a by-pass for divertgas producer'adapted to contain a fuel bed ing aportion of the gas generated in said producer, a burner connected to said by-pass, an

igniting agency for gas issuing from said burner, and thermostatic means responsive to heat of burning of generated gas at said burnerfor automatically connecting said to any desired place of use, a vent pipe connected tol-said producer, a burner, means for supplyinggenerated gas to said burner, an igniting agency for gas issuing from said burnerythermostatic means responsive to heat of burning of generated gas at said burner for automatically connecting said producer to the delivery main and closing off connection between said producer'an'd the a m vent pipe when the generated gas becomes combustible and burns, and means for-auto-j f matically cutting out said igniting agency after; the generated gas issuing from said burner is ignited and burns; a I

15 26. 'A gas generating'system comprising-a- "ga's producer adapted to contain aefuel bed ofignited carbonaceous material, a work device, electrically operated meansfor blasting the fuel bed in said producer to cause the zq generation of gas and for supplying-said as under pressure to a work device, means or starting the electrichlly operated blastin means to cause the generation of gas, and means responsive to the burning of generated gas for automatically delaying the supplying of'generated gas to said work device by said electrically operated blasting means until the generated gas becomes combustible. v v

27. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed of ignited carbonaceous material, a work device, a delivery main. connecting-said producer with said work 'device,', a map connected to the delivery main for rawing air and moisture throughthe fuel bed in said producer to {generate gas'and for forc'ing the generated gas "throu h said delivery main under pressure tosai work device, a constant speed el'ectricinotor; driv- 40 ingsaid pump, an electric circuit for said motor, a switchther'eimand means respon sive to pressure' conditions within said deliverymain beyond said pump for intermittent- 1y fpeningand closing said switch.

n test'imonywhereof I hereto aliix my ature. v HARRY F. g 

